Pittsburgh officer falls 30 feet pursuing car thief

By Rob AmenThe Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh police officer was hospitalized this morning after falling about 30 feet over a fence near the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium while chasing a stolen-car suspect through the city, police said.

The chase started in the Uptown section of the city about 4:15 a.m. when the officer, Daniel Hartung, spotted a 2006 Pontiac G6 that was reported stolen, police said.

The driver led Hartung through Oakland and into Highland Park, where he stopped at One Wild Place — the entrance to the zoo — and began running, police said.

Hartung followed, and the two jumped over an iron fence near the zoo parking lot, falling about 30 feet.

The suspect, 34, of Scott, was taken to Mercy Hospital, Uptown. His injuries were unknown, police said. Police did not release his name.

Hartung was taken to an undisclosed hospital for injuries to his right knee, head and ankle. He is being held for observation, police said.

The suspect is being charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, reckless driving, receiving stolen property and recklessly endangering another person.